🏞️💕 "With You I Am" (Bryant Family #1) (2021) 💕🏞️ - Blog + Review Tour
Welcome to the Blog + Review Tour for With You I Am by Cleopatra Margot, hosted by JustRead Publicity Tours!
ABOUT THE BOOK
Series: Bryant Family #1
Author: Cleopatra Margot
Publisher: Faith to Love Publishing
Release Date: June 21, 2021
Genre: Contemporary Christian romance
MY REVIEW
Thank you in advance to the author, Cleopatra Margot, for providing a complimentary copy of the book through JustRead Publicity tours. A positive review was definitely not required or requested in any way; all words are my own.
Last year (June 2020), I did a blog blitz for the author’s Healing their Hearts, (book #6) in the Faith to Love series with another “tour” group. However, this is the first book by the author that I’ve read. It is also the first book in the Bryant Family series.
The cover is absolutely stunning and what drew me right away to it. As an added bonus, the author designs her own covers. For being independently published, this cover really stands out in a good way! I’m sure we’ve all seen the covers that grab us and some that don’t. And, as just as beautiful as the cover – Margot’s writing. Her writing is definitely on par with other contemporary Christian fiction/romance author out there – Betsy St. Amant and Tari Faris to name a few.
What is so refreshing is that Margot is definitely one of the younger voices in fiction. In fact, she graduated this year. Congrats to her. Margot wrote Christmas With Cocoa at age 15, and by 17 had completed the entire Faith to Love series which contained seven (7) books. This book, With You I Am is the first book in her second series.
Like the author, the writing bug hit me young. At age 12, in the midst of not such a fun time at school, I took to the computer to write. It was in my 20’s that I’d try to make it serious. Of course, same as in the books we read, life takes us in a different direction. Interestingly enough, I began reading this book the same weekend I finished my first CampNaNo story. To see such a young person writing and published – it is one of the most precious gifts to see as a reader and author. She definitely has a talent and a long career ahead of her as a writer.
Anyway …
This book is definitely a longer read than her previous books which you can see by the spines. It shows how deeply rich this story is, how much there is to it in terms of lessons and love. The depth the author went to in creating the characters, the setting, and the plot is remarkable.
Just because Margot is a younger writer, don’t expect a fluff piece. This definitely tackles “adult” issues such as adoption, fostering, homeschooling, drug possession, DUI, alcohol addiction, abandonment issues, as well as inferences to abuse. Yet, the author keeps it light, hopeful, and realistic. Margot carefully weaves it all together in a manner that is entertaining and yet informative. She knows how to draw the reader in, and keep them interested in the story.
The characters are realistic with complicated, rich, and deep backgrounds. While this is Wynn and Noelle’s story, the other characters appear quite frequently, again highlighting this story is about a family.
The plot is also richly engaging as well. Warning – have a box of issues handy. This is not only beautiful, but it is also sweet. While not exactly an engaging “page-turner” per se; Margot’s vivid and casual style grabs the reader’s attention. And, the story did pick up more around the halfway mark.
There are a lot of dynamics going on in this book in addition to Wynn and Noelle’s budding romance. At times it can seem confusing and a bit cluttered, but it all comes together beautifully at the end.
As the blurb states –> Noelle is busy running the successful business her grandparents left her, after all they raised her. She gets an opportunity to plan Balsam Falls’ Spring Fling event, but that means leaving the company behind for a few months, yet she’s compelled to take the chance.
Wynn is helping others by building homes for those in need. But, an opportunity to restore The Gardens comes up.
The initial meeting between Wynn and Noelle is not only sweet, but comical in nature. Noelle ends up getting locked in a room and almost takes a frying pan to Wynn. It sets up the romance between the two as well as highlighting how much work The Gardens needs.
Noelle is definitely a confident, successful woman with a soft side to her. She ends up staying at the Bryant’s inn, and learns that the owners are Wynn’s parents. At breakfast, Wynn makes a note about his mother’s decorations. Jackie and I have the “Christmas all year round” theme in common. I once left a fully decorated artificial tree up until mid-April. As of note, Noelle’s middle name is my first name.
I was trying not to laugh at Ember’s rooster – Libby. Like her, I dearly love creamed corn and the mention of it brought back some fond childhood memories of that “Libby’s” can. Speaking of Ember, had the author not made a note of her being adopted, I wouldn’t have known it or guessed it. The family fit so well together. But, it is an interesting plot point that will come around with two kids who have issues with their father.
There are also a few minor romances brewing as well: Seth is sweet on Jenna, a single mom who Wynn and Marshall are working on a home for. There is also a minor romance with Marshall and Seth’s younger sister Jess. Only there’s a slight snag – she’s due to leave for cooking school. That’s interesting because Noelle has some issues cooking, her idea of pizza is a JACK’S pizza. Nothing wrong with those, I’ve eaten them (the cheeseburger one is my favorite), though I’m not opposed to a good old fashioned pizzeria pizza either. We have a great local one as well.
It isn’t long before Wynn and Noelle are “dating” but not dating. He first takes her to the falls which ends up being interrupted by a disaster at the inn. That turns out to be a good thing – Noelle ends up staying in a spare bedroom at Wynn’s.
Noelle is included in the Bryant family which makes her think of her own childhood being raised by her grandparents as her mother was an actress and left her, Noelle also doesn’t know her father. As a result, she wants to get to know her mother. But, she is crushed by a response.
As she and Wynn work together to restore the gardens, they each reveal their goals. And, Noelle begins to get attached to not just Wynn – but the family and the town. Her grandmother is also connected to the town. And, even Wynn’s family picks up on the obvious “romance” between him and Noelle.
Wynn is asked by Seth to mentor two kids whose father has issues. Devin at first resists it, but Sophie gets close to Noelle. Devin eventually turns to Wynn when there is an issue with their father which shows deep down how much he trusted Wynn.
Throughout the story, the characters go and grow through challenges, learning valuable lessons in life, love, and relationships along the way. Wynn wants to help Noelle, and she wants to help him which is why they work so well together.
As stated previously, the story really picks up after the halfway mark. Devin and Sophie’s life becomes a bit more complicated as does Wynn’s. There is also the Bryant family’s “archnemesis”, George Fleming, who has a unique connection to John Bryant (the father) and even Noelle. And, trust me, even at the end I still had some issues with him.
Margot pretty much draws the story out to almost the very end, and some of the endings were very surprising. One I really didn’t see coming, but it was definitely a beautiful ending as well.
This is part of a series, so some plot points addressed in this were not fully resolved – Marshall and Jess, Jenna and Seth. These might be addressed in future books. So, I would definitely be interested in future books to see what will happen with this family.
This had some tearful moments, some beautiful moments, and some “funny” moments. One funny moment involved the color of a dress being described as “booger green”. I couldn’t stop laughing. It was definitely a realistic moment that brought such heart to this story.
I loved the idea of Jackie keeping a journal for each of her kids. What a beautiful keepsake to give to them when they turn 18, 21, or when they get married. It was definitely a wonderful way of documenting each child’s memories as well as the parent’s memories.
I was pleasantly surprised by a few of the characters, especially after have a few bad vibes from them. This had a bit of a mystery to it as well and one of the reveals was quite shocking. But, it didn’t surprise me afterward reading it. It is about page 364 where the title With You I Am comes into play – and it is Noelle referring to the fact that with Wynn she is a better person, among other things – in essence, being complete.
Overall, I definitely enjoyed this story and look forward to seeing what is coming next in Balsam Falls.
I highly recommend this book to those who’ve read Margot’s Faith to Love series, as well as anyone who enjoys a beautiful clean romance. This also had a Hallmark movie vibe to it as well, and those who enjoy those movies, are sure to enjoy this read.
As Cleopatra Margot is a Christian author, and
this is from Faith to Love publishing; expect references to God, characters in
church, mentions of bible passages, as well as using God and the bible to solve
issues. Themes of redemption and forgiveness are also included. These are very
integral to the story and play a huge part in relation to the plot – it’s all
about trusting God to help us with our lives.
RATING:
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Goodreads
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – BookBub
5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐/5 ⭐⭐⭐⭐⭐ – Personal Rating (see rating explanation in this blog: https://readingexcursions.blogspot.com/2020/01/rating-system-2020-changes.html)
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
TOUR GIVEAWAY
(1) winner will receive a signed paperback book, a bookmark featuring a quote from the book, a vinyl sticker with a quote, and a $10 Starbucks gift card!
Be sure to check out each stop on the tour for more chances to win. Full tour schedule linked below. Giveaway began at midnight July 12, 2021 and lasts through 11:59 PM EST on July 19, 2021. Winner will be notified within 2 weeks of close of the giveaway and given 48 hours to respond or risk forfeiture of prize. US only. Void where prohibited by law or logistics.
Giveaway is subject to the policies found here.
Follow along at JustRead Tours for a full list of stops!
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